Empowering police wives will improve National Security - Zahra Bunu Abubakar | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Thursday 27 March 2014

Empowering police wives will improve National Security - Zahra Bunu Abubakar

Mrs Zahra Bunu-Abubakar is the President Police Officer’s Wives Association (POWA), and wife of the Inspector General of Police. This pretty amiable personality has distinguished herself by impacting on the lives of Police officers wives. In an exclusive interview with Sweet Angel she reveals how she intends to drive home the vision of POWA and how she met her husband amongst other issues. Excerpts after the cut...

 
Madam can you briefly introduce yourself? I am Mrs Zahra Bunu-Abubakar, I come from a very big family, not just a nuclear family but extended family. I went to primary School in Maiduguri, Secondary School in Jos Air force Military School, after which I proceeded to UK for my A levels. I later came back to study Civil Engineering in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria after which I went for my Masters in construction management. My Father is an architect and I think that motivated my choice of study. I practiced Civil Engineering for a while and later moved to oil and gas that is where I am right now.

What kind of ambition did you nurse while growing up?
When I was young at about the ages of 7or 8 my Dad engaged in the building of NNPC, after some years when I had gotten into secondary school a lot of people talked and commended the building. I started nursing the ambition of constructing such a building that would attract the admiration of all, but I guess that changed.

What changed it?
Like I mentioned earlier I enjoyed going to site but I encountered a lot of challenges.
How much impact did your Dad have on you?
Not just my Dad, my parents inculcated morals in us, we had both western and Islamic education, we were taught to be honest, we were brought up in such a way that our peers looked up to us.

What is it like being the wife of the Inspector General of Police?
I wasn’t used to being in the limelight, I am more of a private person, initially it was quite challenging but he supported, guided and protected me and now I am better off.

How do you cope with your husband’s hectic schedule?
I knew the man I was marrying, and I also know the security situation in the country and how much Nigerians need him. I also know that security in our country should be given utmost priority in order to create a better country and conducive environment for our children. Despite his tight schedule he tries his best to create time for his family.

What is your experience heading an organization like POWA?
The Police Force is the largest single organization in Nigeria and as such POWA is a large family. POWA encompasses both the wives and children of Police officers. It is Police Officers Wives Association but we impact on the lives of our children. A lot of women are idle we all know that sourcing for funds is quite challenging. At the moment we solicit for funds from the general public, captains of industries, and individuals. It is worthy to note that the Nigeria Police Force have always been of support to POWA. Empowering Police wives will help in tackling insecurity in our land. It will also help in eradicating Corruption, as this will accord the wives the opportunity to be of assistance to their husbands, thereby aiding to eradicate corruption in the Force. I feel if they are empowered they would have every reason to contribute their portion in actualizing the vision of POWA.

How have you been able to surmount the Challenges of POWA?
Like I said earlier I came from a large family and there are a lot of women than there are men. I happen to be the first in a family of thirteen, this and the fact that I have a military background to a certain extent has broadened my ability to manage POWA effectively. My father was a politician and I was involved one way or the other. I am used to working with different caliber of people and that has helped. Our major challenge is in the area of funding we have a lot of plans mapped out for the women but insufficient funds have always posed as a challenge. Another challenge asides funds is that most times when we hold meetings a lot of women don’t attend these meetings, and their excuses boils down to funding.

What has been your major achievement since assumption into office?
After taking over from the Acting President in November last year, I continued in line with what the previous President had been doing. Every regime has its strategies, so what we are presently working on right now is the commemoration of POWA’s 50th anniversary which is set to come by April. We have lined up of activities which comprise sporting activities, talent shows, fund raising and dinner amongst others. The sporting activity and talent show is meant to engage our children, we have prizes for winners. We shall be partnering with IGP to further encourage and support the winners. The talent shows are for both the women and children of Police officers. A lot of them don’t have the platform to showcase their talents. This is also an opportunity to bring them to public limelight. The proceeds from the fund raising dinner is meant to acquire skills for the women. A lot of the women have small businesses but do not know how to run or manage them properly; we shall be organizing courses for women on that. We are also trying to build a youth centre in Dedei barracks, which is the biggest barracks in Abuja. There are lots of idle youths due to lack of access to job opportunities, this centre is meant to engage them. There will be skill acquisition centre for the women as well. We shall also organize lectures and trainings for selected women from each state which will run for two days. Asides marking the 50th anniversary of POWA, we have some accomplishments to our credit. Earlier this year there was a School commissioned at Asaba Delta state. There is also the Lagos secretariat multipurpose hall that was also commissioned in Lagos. We are also currently visiting all the barracks here in Abuja to find out how we can assist and empower the women. The issue of empowerment in POWA cannot be overemphasized that is why we are trying to integrate that into our vision and mission statement for POWA. I am also driving a new culture of cleanliness in the barracks, we have enforced meetings and sanitation in the barracks, and mapped out sanctions for defaulters.

What is the vision of POWA?
POWA aims to become an effective, sustainable organization that actively enhances the quality of life of women and children of the Police and serve as a recognized resource for community partnership, post conflict rehabilitation and youth empowerment.

How do you manage, combining your roles as a wife and POWA President?
Obviously my husband is my priority, the association teaches us to support our husbands and so I give him all the required support. My husband is passionate about changing the lives of the Police, he does his best to support POWA.

How has POWA being of assistance to the widows?
We have been trying to ensure they get the benefits of their late husbands. Sometimes these women don’t even know who the next of kin to their husband is, the process of documentation, or how to go about it. During our visits to the barracks we brought in welfare and pension experts to lecture and enlighten them on these important issues. We are presently in discussion with Police Micro Finance Bank to help give soft loans to these women to ensure they have access to funding.

What has being in the limelight denied you of doing?
I don’t think being in the limelight has denied me anything much. Like I said earlier I am generally a private person, so I try to be more of a homely person.

How do you relax?
I like to read a lot, watch movies, and travel.

What is your definition of style, and how do you like to dress?
For me style is not going for what is in vogue, it’s about wearing what suites you and makes you look elegant. I wear what I think looks nice on me and make me look elegant.

What life philosophy guides your daily living and interaction with people?
I generally belief that you should treat one as you would like to be treated, I live my life that way and I am always conscious of life hereafter.

How did you meet your husband?
At a mutual friends house.

53 comments:

Attitude said...

Fine woman. Beauty and brains. It gives me joy to see educated women from the north.

Anonymous said...

Beauty, brain and class

Unknown said...

STORY STORYYYYYY?? STORY!! Welcome Back To Naija Darline... Good Morning Yall!!

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¤GROWN MAN IN A YOUNG BODY¤

Unknown said...

STORY STORYYYYYY?? STORY!! Welcome Back To Naija Darline, Muah... Good Morning Yall!!

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¤GROWN MAN IN A YOUNG BODY¤

Anonymous said...

We don hear! Eseree kodara.

Anonymous said...

Ok #bright bravo#

Unknown said...

Go Go Madam Zahra May God help u

Alloy Chikezie said...

It will improve it indeed, looking for cheap oil money


Your comment will be visible after approval

Anonymous said...

This Lady beautiful oh. the old man dey enjoy oh, oppressing young dudes..

......It can only be Paul Barca

sii Al said...

She is wholly very pretty.....our IG get eyes oh

Unknown said...

Excellent beautiful woman. ⌣̊┈̥-̶̯͡»̶̥♡thanks ⌣̊┈̥-̶̯͡»̶̥ 

www.promonigeria.com said...

Beautiful woman

Unknown said...

story..

Rosie said...

All I can say is dat dis lady is too pretty. Wow

Anonymous said...

Accurate n intelligent response I like that, hope u get the desired response for ur plans. Sweet anonymous.

Leecia said...

Hmmmm so much has been said,I hup dey re able 2 realize dat which dey desire,welldone Ma.

Unknown said...

Oooooo chineke

Angie said...

Story... U meant to empower/encourage your fellow police wives to make their husbands steal more of Nigeria money?....if yes, ok.


*My R1.50c comment *

Unknown said...

Beautifuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul woman.

Anonymous said...

Empowering police wives will improve national security! Pray tell, how pls??????? Pray tell how, the best thing u women can do is to assist each other, which u are doing fine but pls do not drag the NIgerian govt into this. It has enough responsibility already. When we start discarding our sense of entitlement mentality we ll all be better for it.

Anonymous said...

Ode.she's not only besides and intelligent,she's from a well to do home and not hungry like you or Mr"I didn't have shoes".

Anonymous said...

She's a diamond spoon lady.she's got more class than you and your generation combined

Amarachukwu. said...

Fine fine lady!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful woman. Complete package!

ary said...

How might I ask?

Anonymous said...

Mumu correction

Unknown said...

Lady with beauty and brains....... What she is doing is really great and hope other women will follow her footstep......
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***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

Unknown said...

This inspector na real baddoo, see the fish wey him they possess abeg....
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***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

Walata said...

Dis woman so damn fine

RAI said...

Dumb nigerians are still asking how?? Pftttttt that is why Linda took her time to post the write up. Damn

Unknown said...

True definition of beauty. Classic woman!

Unknown said...

Definition of beauty. Classic woman!

Unknown said...

True definition of beauty. Classic woman!

Anonymous said...

her husband and step brother/ step son wan loot police funds dry...

Anonymous said...

I'd love to empower this woman in bed!

Angie said...

The well to do home that she came from is well to do from whose pocket?... Nigeria.
Her grand father built nnpc building, with which money?; meaning that the stealing don tey wey it start... anonymous go sidon, we understand!

Angie said...

Haha!... no dispute abt being a diamond lady; hw the diamond came is the dispute. .

*My R1.50c comment *

Anonymous said...

....beautiful

Unknown said...

ok na

Anonymous said...

She comes from a large family that's true. She and her bunch of unserious sisters and cousins paid their through school to obtain fake results and get ahead in life only to come marry top rich nigerians with prominent positions alreay, while d serious educated graduates with real results are dying from stampede at a job fair.

Anonymous said...

I wonder what ur beef is, pls get a life

Unknown said...

i can only see a fresh beautiful woman.

@MEETD®EALEVANS™ said...

Trust me police man nor one hear say na xo dem empower him wife xo him nor go tk bribe. Even if u mk d lowest rank police man to earn 1Million monthly he go still tk 50naira bribe. It comes with d Uniform...but nice try sha

Anonymous said...

Beauty and brains ko,beans and rice ni.Northerners have a sly way around everything, dropping names left right and centre and dumb gullible nigerians just swoon over clear skin and well articulated english. Let's wait and judge dis madam by the work she does not by her beauty or where she went to school. Any1 can get a masters degree,even better when u have means of doing it abroad but these don't translate to getting a pass mark on work done.

Anonymous said...

I'm reading the comments and I see a lot about her physical beauty. Not many people are questioning her qualifications!!! What is her educational background. She's merely a pretty face, rich kid grown up to be a rich wife. How can she identify with what the common "police wife" is struggling with. I mean WTH. People please use the brains our good Lord put in your heads!!! Linda post this and stop filtering as you always do!

Anonymous said...

she looks like Toni Braxton tho or vice versa.... whichever!

Apple said...

That one nah story i beg.

MY TURN said...

Empower who? Nigerian police wives. madam you are very pretty and you sure have brains please come up with other initiatives.

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed with Zarah.
Beauty and brains combined.

Anonymous said...

Lady inspector's wife,,,,you are not correct,,,,,,Empwering police wive ll never improve National security,,,,,,Stop all this your..............

Anonymous said...

Another means of looting funds, smh

(born again child says so)

Unknown said...

Some people are really dumb,they just see a preety face and forget about the real gist that's pathetic, no wonder a friend of mine says nigerians are too vain, they leave ther real issue nd focus on trivial issues,!

Anonymous said...

RIP

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